Interview - Homes For Our Troops

Not only is Homes For Our Troops a great organization but they understand the importance of using a home's space wisely, for instance, they make sure kitchens are designed with pull-down cabinets. We spoke with Teresa about their mission and how you can help.

For the busy person what is Homes for our Troops?

Homes For Our Troops is a national nonprofit that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes to severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.

What is the origin story for your organization?

Homes For Our Troops was started by a Massachusetts contractor in 2004 who built a home for an injured Veteran in Massachusetts. Since that time, HFOT has built over 250 homes in 42 states.

Who qualifies for a home and if so, how does the process start?

To qualify for a home, Veterans have to meet a few basic criteria including being injured in the theater post 9/11; retired or in the process of medical retirement from military service; qualify for the VA’s Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant Program. Learn more about our selection process here: hfotusa.org/help.

If someone wants to help, what can they do in addition to giving money?

There is plenty of ways to help! We hold events for each project across the country where the community is invited to attend and welcome the Veteran home. You can find out if there’s a build in your area by checking our interactive map at hfotusa.org/map. If there are no builds near you, holding a fundraiser is a great way to support our mission. We’re even happy with people spreading the word about our organization through social media and word of mouth. Learn more about how to get involved here: hfotusa.org/get-involved/support_our_mission.

What are some of the projects that stand out or gave you extra inspiration?

Everyone of our Veterans has an inspiring story. Read about some here: hfotusa.org/rebuilding-lives.

Interview - NasKart

Many of our clients ask us how to deal with the vast number of toys their kids accumulate. We suggest limiting the number that come into your space in the first place. We encourage a switch from toys towards experiences so we spoke with Cody of Montville, CT's NasKart SuperCharged Go Kart Racetrack.

What is the track's origin story? How long has it been around?

Naskart opened on January 1, 2017, only 11 months after its conception on a dinner napkin. It really is a unique concept that originated when one of the owners was on a family trip in Florida. As he sat watching his kids enjoy an indoor karting track he had two thoughts. 1. Why don’t we have anything like this closer to home, and 2. We can do this better. That is exactly what he set off to do with his business partners and 11 months later the doors open for the world’s largest indoor multi-level karting track.

What should a busy person know before walking in the door to race?

The first thing to understand when going to a facility like this, is that indoor karting isn’t like most entertainment venues. The system operates more like a airport than anything else, with a strict schedule of races with loading and departures times, always subject to delays based upon what is happening on the tracks during the races. Be sure to check online to better understand what to expect. What are the requirements to participate? What restrictions exist? What are the associated costs and hours of operation? All this and more can be found on our website NASKARTracing.com.

What are the different tracks and levels?

Naskart offers two distinct quarter mile tracks, Coca-Cola Raceway and Antonino Auto Group Speedway. On Thursdays we merge them both for Supertrack, a ½ mile per lap experience line no other. On either track you have two options for your speed setting, Semi-PRO, or PRO. For Semi-PRO the minimum requirement is that you are 58 inches or taller. For PRO you must also be 58 inches or taller, and also 15 years of age or older. Both tracks, and both speed settings use the same high performance electric go karts.

What are the age limits or height?

For our trampoline park we do not have any age or height limitations. Our policy is that you must be able to jump on your own without assistance and follow instructions. We are very strict on our safety rules.

Can someone drive a cart on the trampoline park?

In addition to our 80,000 sq. ft. track building we have our trampoline park, party spaces, Fuel Up café, and a full service sports bar. Be sure to JUMP & DRIVE before visiting the bar. For more information or to inquire about having a special event with us please email sales@NASKARTracing.com.

Book Review - Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess

Ever go visit a friend and walk into a spotless house? Everything is dust free, counters free from dishes, papers filed neatly away, no cat or dog hair anywhere. You leave feeling depressed and anxious about your own home. How do people have time to clean? Rachel Hoffman has written UnF*CK Your Habitat – You’re Better Than Your Mess. Cleaning and organizing tips for real people with busy and complicated lives. A simple and easy guide on how to house clean without anxiety.

Ms. Hoffman writes in a friendly and easy to read style. She recognizes that everyone has different family situations and different limitations. She mentions that people deal with depression, ADHD, mental illness and some live in chronic pain. Her suggestions are realistic, adaptable and attainable.

To start, the author recognizes that traditional housekeeping systems with rigid
structures and routines do not necessarily fit into the world in 2018. She suggests
that we should fit our cleaning routines around our lives instead of vice versa.
Traditional gender roles of cleaning and organizing have typically been a women’s
role. She says “bullsh*t” to that idea. Now that men and women all work outside
the home, “it’s time for us to change the way we look at domestic work and the
people who perform it. By seeing and acknowledging the amount of labor
involved, we can start to realize that a more equal division of labor in our own
homes is inherently fairer than expecting it all to fall under the umbrella of
women’s work,” writes the author.
                                                                                                                                                           UFYH, discuss why “marathon cleaning,” cleaning non-stop for a few days will
not work. Marathon cleaning will not help you build habits you need to maintain
your home. They key focus of the book is learning the 20/10’s. “A 20/10 is twenty
minutes of cleaning followed by a 10 minute break. The break is not optional,”
says Ms. Hoffman. You may ask how can I get all my cleaning done in 20
minutes? Well, you probably can’t. Larger projects may need a few 20/10’s.
However, the author points out that a lot can be accomplished in 20 minutes. By
following the 20/10’s, you will be able to keep the house up to speed without ever
falling into the marathon cleaning rut. You will be happier because you won’t feel
as if you are spending all your free time cleaning and organizing. Some people may wonder, do I have 20 minutes? UFYH points out that most people have 20 minutes to spend on social media or Netflix. Certainly, if one prioritizes wisely we all can find 20 minutes to clean.

Multi-tasking is also mentioned. “There are a million little things we can do while we are waiting on other things,” says the author. While the coffee is brewing unload the dishwasher. Dinner in the oven, wash your prep dishes. Something heating in the microwave, wipe down your surfaces. By using your time wisely, you can accomplish quite a bit.

At House to Home Organizing, one of our main tenants is “a place for everything with everything in its place.” The book stresses to put things where they belong instead of leaving them on the counter, on the hallway floor or hidden in closets. This will keep chaos from escalating and most importantly keep your surfaces clean.

Make your bed! A messy bed makes a room messier. A made bed helps you to start
the day fresh, and will keep you from getting back in! At night try to prep for the
morning. “Doing 20 minutes’ worth of work before bed can save you endless
aggravation in the morning,” says the author. Layout your clothes, clean the sink,
prep for breakfast and lunch, prep your vitamins, are a few of the suggestions for
preparing for the next day.

Take photos. At H2H, we always take before/after photos of our work.
You should too! Many times people are so exhausted by cleaning they can’t
remember what it looked like before they started. By taking photos you will see
proof in what you have accomplished. When things get messy and dirty again you
can look at the after photo and know you did it once before so certainly you can do
it again!

Oh no, your parents or best friend will be stopping by tomorrow. Your home is a
mess! Ms. Hoffman delves into emergency cleaning with gusto. She suggests put
on great music, get a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice and put the laptop and
tablets away as you don’t want any distractions. Make you bed, get your cleaning
supplies together and away you go! There is a step by step guide as to cleaners to
use, and a how to guide as to where to start and finish.

In addition there is an entire section on moving tips, unf*cking your digital habitat
and how to use the 20/10’s for school work and your real work. This book is a font
of information for the average person who needs some support and guidance trying
to maintain a clean and clutter free home. There are lots of practical
housecleaning/organizing books on the market. What really makes UFYH stand
apart from the others is that it is written for a multitude of people with different
lifestyles. Men, women, single people, people with roommates, people with physical and mental limitations and people who never learned how to clean can all benefit and learn easy and doable cleaning/organizing strategies.

Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess

By Rachel Hoffman

Buy on Amazon

Please note: If you choose to purchase the book using our Amazon link, H2H receives a small commission designed to help keep our rates affordable.

Interview - SWCAA

At House to Home Organizing,  we have helped many families in multi-generational homes who are either transitioning to the next life stage living situation or have loved ones who are downsizing. Often, our clients tell us they are overwhelmed and don't know how to begin. We spoke with Sharon Gesek, Director of Programs at The Southwestern CT Agency on Aging to help provide solutions to some of the challenges that older adults face.

For the busy person, what is the best description for Southwestern CT Agency on Aging?

SWCAA is a private, not-for-profit organization, designated by the federal government (according to the Older Americans Act of 1965) as an Area Agency on Aging, SWCAA is a funding source for federal and state dollars for the elderly in a fourteen town region of southwestern Connecticut.

Funding supports services such as in-home care, nutrition, legal, health, adult day care/respite, transportation, senior centers, outreach/social support and Information and Assistance.

What are the common challenges for older adults in Connecticut? 

Connecticut isn’t all that different than other states with one of the most challenging obstacles for adults as they age, navigating a complex, and at times confusing landscape of Long Term Services and Supports.

You offer numerous programs, what are the ones most in demand?

Access to In-Home Services and Supports to delay or prevent institutionalization, Caregiver Resources, Information and Assistance with Health Insurance Options and Medicare and Grant Opportunities to the Community.

For new caregivers of older parents, what areas should they focus on to get them started?

That’s a tough questions because each family situation is a bit different. I would start with calling a CHOICES counselor at one of five CT Area Agencies on Aging to get individual options that suit the caregiver and care recipient. An Information Specialist will need to get personal information and will then review available options to you and offer assistance in accessing the services you feel are suitable for your loved one. 

It could be connecting an individual with the VA, respite for the caregiver, or possibly in-home services through the CT Homecare Program for Elders.

You help older adults avoid scams, can you discuss the program?

SWCAA has an Informational Specialist who coordinates the Senior Medicare Patrol Program.  This is a nationwide program that provides one-on-one counseling and assistance to people on Medicare help them better understand their Medicare summary notices and understand billing and other paperwork that may be confusing or overwhelming. If there is a suspicious case or circumstances, the SMP Coordinator or a trained volunteer, can help beneficiaries report fraud to the proper state and federal authorities. Community SMP presentations  are offered at a whole host of area sites including libraries, Senior Centers, Community Centers, and faith based organizations. SWCAA will work with any organization that is willing to sponsor a community presentation to alert beneficiaries how to; Prevent, Detect and Report fraud and scams.